Fulfilling My Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

The timeless tradition of the bride wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (and a sixpence in her shoe), dates back to Victorian times. Like many brides before me, I wanted to take part in the tradition. When I actually sat down to think about it, I realized that I had many items that fulfilled the categories except for one: my something old. But I'll get back to that in a minute.

My something new could be one of many items like my dress, veil, or earrings, but I've decided to pick my shoes. Ever since I purchased them, they've been untouched and tucked away in a closet. They'll be brand-spankin' new when I slide them on my feet.


Just looking at them makes me have a Carrie Bradshaw "Hello, lover" moment.

My something borrowed was pretty much a no-brainer as well. My mother is lending me her gorgeous blue topaz necklace.

SO beautiful. Pictured here with my wedding day earrings (a new item!)

Obviously the necklace could also be my something blue, and I planned on it doing double-duty, but recently, I also purchased an embroidered hankerchief that could also be my something blue.

So here we are back to the dilemma: my something old. I suppose my mother's necklace could be my something old, but it's not really that old. My dad gifted it to her around twenty years ago. Is that old enough? I also considered wearing my signature perfume, Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle. I know that goes against the whole new wedding-day fragrance craze, but it would be a somewhat unique something old (that's also not that old). I could also request to borrow my grandmother's old engagement ring. My mom currently has it, but I know that it wouldn't fit my finger. I'd have to include it as a charm on my bouquet or pin it somehow.

When it comes to my something old, I'm completely at a loss. Of my options which would you pick? Are any of y'all carrying or wearing a unique something old?

Tradition Shmadition?

Ask any one of my family and close friends and they will most likely tell you that I'm a fairly traditional girl with classic taste. And while our wedding ceremony will be quite traditional, there are some traditions that we've decided to do without.

The Bouquet Toss

Photo by Aislinn Kate Photography

For some reason, I've been against this idea from the start, and I'm not exactly sure why. I can't pinpoint it, but I know that I don't want to have one. (You may think this comes from some horrific experience of being clobbered mid bouquet grab, but I've never even seen one done! [Maybe that's why it's easy for me to write it off.])

The Garter Toss

Photo by Angel Navarro Photography

My problem with this tradition is crystal clear. Under no circumstance do I ever want Mr. Hawk to be lifting up my dress in front of 100 of my nearest and dearest. The thought of it actually makes me shudder. I know that we could skip the whole removal portion and still do the toss, but without a bouquet toss it doesn't seem to make much sense to keep it.

The Mother-Son Dance

This one is still up for discussion, but I have a strong feeling it's going to be nixed. Mr. Hawk does not enjoy dancing. In fact, the one thing he enjoys less than dancing is being the center of attention and having everyone watching him. (Unless, as he says, he brings himself to the center of attention.) So combining two of his most hated things? Recipe for disaster.

Are there any traditions that y'all have decided to skip? Which ones are most important to you?